Another year begins and with it all the infinite possibilities of a fresh start, a clean slate, renewed intentions and new beginnings. Is it clichéd ? I don’t believe so. Throughout time people have revered the new year, symbolism is strong for a new start after the largesse of the Festive season – all that eating and drinking and very little sleep!! The fact we also currently have a powerful super moon and all the signs point to us being able to find the power within ourselves to achieve what we need and want if we really put our minds to it. 90% of the time it is our negative head space and mental chatter that holds us back and stops us achieving our dreams so let us listen to our inner voice and have a go at all those things we’ve talked or thought about for so long and JUST DO IT!!! What’s to lose?

To be honest 2017 was a weird year. We had the happiness of a wedding in the family and the gathering of loved ones from near and far to help celebrate, certainly a day I will never forget. We also lost beloved family members to illness and big holes have been left in their going. Friends also had close calls and the realisation that we are no longer spring chickens can be a bit scary, we are closer to leaving this world than arriving in it so there is a sense of doing it all now while we can and being grateful for what we have. In a way it is empowering as we know we need to make hay while the sun shines and make the very most of every day. Having my family around me this Christmas has been truly wonderful as we make memories to last a lifetime. Some came for extra days before the Big Day and others stayed longer afterwards and great fun was had by all.

 

Afternoons spent under the shade of the trees with a chilled rosé and lots of chatter or walks together along the beach with the chocky dog were equally meaningful and time to be cherished.

 

This time constantly full of food was a little challenging for one little brown dog who seemed to materialise out of nowhere once plates started being stacked and cutlery assembled. She figured that stealth and sitting quietly would be rewarded. I had severe concerns that our mince pies were not going to survive……

There was loads of delicious food, including a home grown ham from our lovely friends at Claydon Park in Milton which was lovingly prepared by our youngest and cooked in our new wood fired oven along with the pork and the turkey to perfection by the Man of the House. He has really got the hang of it now and we found cooking outside kept the heat out of the house in our Aussie Summer and freed up the kitchen for all the other delicacies.

The ham all glazed and ready for the oven. Please note the beer coolers made by our very own expat to celebrate the season!!

We eat our hot dinner on Xmas Eve nowadays and it gives us an excuse to decorate our formal dining room and go a little over the top! This year I ordered some individual ceramic name tags from the very talented Marley and Lockyer  in Tasmania (www.marleyandlockyer.com) and they added a lovely touch to our table.

 

Christmas Day itself dawned rather cool and a little overcast and drizzly but it didn’t stop our intrepid crew from a morning swim at the beach before heading home to a brekky of salmon, homegrown asparagus and eggs, mangoes and cherries all washed down with mimosas prepared by the oldest son (I love how everyone has their own area of responsibility!!)

Ironically we had a “tropical” theme this year and despite the cool conditions we dressed up in our brightest loudest shirts, leis provided by Tom and some fabulous over the top tropicana specs from Livvy. Thus our Christmas photo this year looks like this….

After our feast we adjourned to the garage where we had set up a games room complete with couches, table tennis and darts. Bocce was played outside when the weather allowed and for this sport loving family (aka competitive) it was all enjoyed immensely. The patriarch of the family presided over it all from the comfort of his ride on mower and we had a great afternoon together with lots of laughs.

 

King of The Garage presiding over his minions.

Having the Newlyweds to stay was very special. They appreciated more than any of us the beauty in waking up in the verdant countryside and breathing in the clean air. After the tropical humidity of Vietnam they were definitely chilly and spent Xmas Day with their puffer jackets firmly done up over their summery clothes! On Boxing Day we enjoyed the fun of board games (without killing each other) and the simple pleasure of a bonfire in the garden under the stars.

 

Loz and I couldn’t resist a visit to my friend Leanne who received the best present in the form of “Geoffrey” a beautiful little golden labrador puppy who will help her through the pain of losing her beloved golden retriever Cooper earlier this year. He was soooo soft and adorable and it was hard to tear ourselves away…

 

We had some lovely surprise overnight visits from family and friends and many an hour was spent on our back deck overlooking the paddocks talking about everything and nothing. My absolute favourite kind of catch up.

 

So, as all good things do, our family time together came to an end and they all scattered back to their lives in the city and overseas. It was wonderful to spend some good time with them all and for us to have some one on one time with our new son-in-law Berry. We are planning a trip to Vietnam to see them in April so at least I don’t have to be too sad when we say goodbye this time!

The Last Supper

So from the green fields of The Meadow I wish you all the happiest 2018. Make it the year that you follow your dreams, we are capable of so much if we believe in our own power. It’s so easy to say things are too hard, too expensive, too challenging but is there anything better than achieving something you’ve worked hard for and striven for? To find you can paint, run, write, swim, cook, get fit and strong, dance or sing? You’ll never know if you don’t give it a go! We can all find a bit more kindness within ourselves too, pay things back or forward, smile at a stranger, hold the door open for people, help old people and chat to them – you may be the only person they speak to all day or week. How you treat people ultimately tells all and as the saying goes “Be the person that you want to see in others.”

C’ya 2017….Over and Out…..